Scottish engineering firm Jbs has completed a key project in the United States to support preparations for the launch of the world’s first commercial space station.
The company designed, manufactured and installed a blast protection enclosure for fast-growing aerospace company Vast.
The system will be used during ground testing of Haven-1 – a station module scheduled for launch in May 2026.
Spacecraft and rocket engines are tested under extreme conditions. Agencies such as NASA and ESA (European Space Agency), and private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Vast must comply with strict safety standards, which require blast containment systems, such as those delivered by Jbs.
Haven-1 is being developed to support both private astronauts and government-backed missions. It will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with crews transported by the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
The module is designed for short-duration missions with up to four astronauts at a time and will feature high-speed internet provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network – the first time Starlink will be deployed on a commercial space station.
Jbs, which is based in Peterhead, has previously completed projects for NASA, Blue Origin, SpaceX and the ESA, underlining its growing role in supporting leading organisations within the international space sector.
Jo McIntosh, Sales and Marketing Director at Jbs, said: “Space projects demand absolute precision and resilience.
“By designing and manufacturing our blast containment systems in-house – including bespoke frame design – we ensure the highest standards are achieved within challenging timescales.
“Our collaboration with VAST Space on the Haven-1 project builds on our proven track record of supporting some of the most ambitious businesses in the world.”
The threat level of each Jbs project is analysed using its next generation technology, which provides a detailed Threat Assessment Report (TAR). The TAR is a mandatory document defining the threat level and associated risks while validating the Jbs solution to mitigate the hazardous operations.
Jbs also delivers services across fabrication and screw conveyor supply operations for a range of sectors from energy to industrial markets.
In addition, the firm’s subsea innovation, Sea Axe, delivers fast, efficient excavation with precision and minimal seabed impact. In South Korea, Jbs is deploying Sea Axe on a major offshore wind farm project, completing time-critical cable burial across extensive export and inter-array routes.
The firm, which has a team of 55, has delivered projects across 80 countries.
For more information, visit: https://wearejbs.com/
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